28
EVEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE palace had the appearance of death. The bushes and trees had no spring flowers on them that was expected. It was the apparent lack of attention from the grounds keepers. Untended grass and uncut bushes grew in haphazard patterns. Rasha ran up the stairs to the palace with no resistance. Without any guards standing at the gate or the doors, anyone could come and go as they pleased. She ran a hand over the chill on her arms at the sight of the abandoned place. It seemed no one was anywhere near the front door.
"Hello,” Rasha called out. No one answered until she reached the second floor.
"Rasha, is that you?" Silae came out of a room and dashed toward her, gripping her hands. "Where were you? We've been worried sick."
"The prince sent me to help find a cure
